Carver LOVES to play our harmonica. Well, it's actually Daddy's "Official Boy Scout Harmonica" and now a bit dented and covered in Carver spit. But it's a great alternative to the yum-yum and I don't even get tired of the noise!
From the time Carver was 2 months and still not smiling at me, I started to worry. His development was delayed from day 1, sitting, crawling, walking, self-feeding, play, you name it. After he passed his birthday and still didn't talk or babble, I began pressing the pediatrician. I was not satisfied with the answer that his development was within "normal range." We did a hearing test that winter that resulted in tubes in May 2007. This helped stop the chronic ear infections, but did not improve his communication abilities.
By the fall, I was ready to seek other help. I scheduled a full evaluation in early October 2007. He showed consistent delays across the board, in that infamous gray area. He was delayed past "normal" but didn't qualify for the state program and we couldn't afford private therapy on our own. I waited 6 months and had him evaluated again, this time smarter and AFTER his 2 1/2 year mark. (In the fall, he was tested as an 18 month old, but was weeks from his 2 year birthday.) He qualified for the SKIP program, which was fabulous! It's home based therapy that picks up the bill after insurance copays. They taught us about his Sensory Processing Disorder, apraxia, low muscle tone and - best of all - what we could DO for him. We had a really wonderful speech therapist come to our home every week up to Carver's birthday in October.
Carver transitioned to therapy in the school district at his 3rd birthday and just completed his 3rd year at the developmental preschool. It's been frustrating for me at times, but he's enjoyed it and I have profound appreciation for several of his therapists who really took the time to love him. It makes all the difference to THIS mom!
We've supplemented with private speech services for the past year or so and it's been the ONLY area he has made any progress towards "catching up." I don't believe that's a coincidence and we're trying to add OT to our lives this summer in hopes it helps prepare him for kindergarten in the fall.
I've learned not to doubt my own motherly instincts and that getting answers from specialists is crucial. Carver is a busy, challenging boy but so full of life and fun. He tests us, pushes our limits, but has given us reason to search deep for the very best we can be.
1 comment:
some things are so worth it!
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